Should a pregnant woman do exercise

Exercise during pregnancy - It is believed that during pregnancy exercising or do hard work is harmful both for the mother and the baby. But recent study says that for health baby a pregnant woman should do some exercise.
@bhanusb (5709)
India
August 26, 2009 11:34am CST
Should a pregnant woman do exercise?Is it harmful for the mother and the baby? In this regard Dr. Mercola's comments is are very important. He said, it should come as no surprise to find out that exercising during pregnancy is helpful both for mother and her baby. Exercise is an essential element of a comprehensive physical and mental health program. Previous studies have shown that,in general women who exercise throughout their pregnancies have larger placentas than their more sedentary peers. The volume of mother's placenta is a general marker of its ability to transport oxygen and nutrients to mother's fetus, so it stands to reason that having a large healthy placenta will lead to a healthier baby. For more details please visit mercola.com or mail to
3 people like this
21 responses
• United States
27 Aug 09
Yes exercise is good for you and baby, especially you. Only light exercises such as walking on the treadmill at a low speed/incline or yoga is very beneficial too. The benefit is to keep you healthy and keep your weight down before and after the baby. Trust me, this will benefit you in the long run. You have to worry about trying to loose more of the baby fat...Congrats and good luck!
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
28 Aug 09
Many many thanks for your advice. But I'm a male. There is no chance for me to be pregnant.However your advice will help the ladies.
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
24 Sep 09
I'm ready to attend 'Oprah'.
• United States
23 Sep 09
lol! lmao! If you do..I'll see you on Oprah!
@wlyatshu (18)
• China
27 Aug 09
I have no experience about pregnacy, but no doubt, exercise will do benefit to people as well as pregnant women. Like anything else in the world, the key point is to handle the balance in what you are dealing with! It will not be good if yougo so far, even far from the goal you want to achieve. During a pregnancy, exercise for woman will be good, but too much of it will be another way!
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
28 Aug 09
Once you will be experienced about pregnancy. I'm a male. I quoted Dr.Mercola so that pregnant ladies could be benefited. You should also keep in your memory the advices of chvenki.Thanks both of you.
• India
27 Aug 09
a pregnent woman should always check with her doctor. ithink the more standing heart rate which can reduce the chance of edampsia.
@youless (112481)
• Guangzhou, China
27 Aug 09
Dr.Mercola is right. I also think it is important for a pregnant woman to do some exercise. It will be good for the pregnant woman and her baby. It will be helpful for the pregnant woman to labor her baby naturally. I love China
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
28 Aug 09
Yes a pregnant woman should follow Dr.Mercloa's advice and consult with her gynae.Thanks both of you.
@submerryn (1304)
• Malaysia
27 Aug 09
When I was pregnant, I still exercise like before I got pregnant. My daily activities were still the same. I was coaching kiddies for a concert and dance too. I believe we have to keep ourself active as to not be too legarthic during pregnancy.. but nevertheless, we still need to consult our gynae in case we experienced shortage of breathing or any difficulties.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
28 Aug 09
Exercise is very important during pregnancy. I didn't know all these facts when I carried my children but I've always been one to exercise anyway. My doctor told me it was good and that I could do anything that my body was used to doing while not pregnant. Walking is very good during pregnancy. I have to say it must be true. All my babies were born with a fairly easy and quick labor. Even the one born almost two months early was extremely healthy and strong.
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
28 Aug 09
You are very very conscious for your health and for your babies. You are an ideal example for the pregnant ladies.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
31 Aug 09
oh absolutley i had 5 kids and every one was healthy as anything. i worked cleaning the house spotless back then. i walked places i needed to go because i couldnt drive. got LOTS of excercise. and i highly recommend it. i had a cousin that had a terrible labor every time because she laid around and ate. i had fairly easy except for the last one and that was due to my age.
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
1 Sep 09
New mothers should follow your example. If they have no scope to do household works they should practice exercise.It will be better for them and for their babies.
@UK_Shree (3603)
25 Sep 09
Well that is very interesting information about the size of the placenta being bigger in women who exercise during pregnancy, I had never heard of that before. Although I am not surprised about exercise being good during pregnancy. I am sure that it should not be too vigourous, but it does make sense that gentle exercise would have benefits for both mother and baby. Exercise is almost always a very good thing.
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
26 Sep 09
Yes gentle exercise is needed during pregnancy. That is beneficial both for mother and baby. Thanks Shree for your response.
@kalav56 (11464)
• India
27 Aug 09
I do not mind some breathing exercises but regarding other kinds I would rather check with a doctor.
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
28 Aug 09
Yes talk to your doctor.He/She will give you proper advice.
@whyiswyh (170)
• Malaysia
27 Aug 09
Yes you should but first thing is first, you have to talk to your doctor and ask whether it is suitable for you to do exercise. Good precaution is always a good thing to do before embarking on a exercise/diet plan
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
28 Aug 09
Yes doctor's advice is must. Before starting exercise a pregnant woman should thoroughly check her health condition.
@smileonstar (4007)
• United States
27 Aug 09
Hello, I think pregnant woman should do some exercise but you have to do the right thing... It will help you and your baby. Also, take vitamin as doctor recommend
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
28 Aug 09
Hello my good lady,I'm a male. I presented this discussion for the benefit of all the women. Because once I was in my mother's womb.I think fruits are better than vitamin tablet.Especially banana and apple are good for pregnant women .
@jazel_juan (15746)
• Philippines
27 Aug 09
yes there are prenatal exercises that are recommended for women..when i was pregnant i used to do it in the morning or when i am doing nothing else..its usually turning my ankles..or stretching my legs..walking..something that would make my knees strong:)) and it did helped me a lot when i gave birth.
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
28 Aug 09
I hope the pregnant women will follow your experience.
@dagma09 (90)
• Philippines
27 Aug 09
that"s true! pregnant women needs exercise but before you do it you must consult first your doctor if youre safe to do it because some pregnant women are delicate to do such activities... In general there are particular exercise that is beneficial to the mother and its baby in the womb. These exercise also strengthen the pelvic muscle which is ease the passage of the baby on the day of birth....
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
28 Aug 09
Yes without consultation with the doctor nothing should be done by the pregnant women.
@patofgold23 (5069)
• Philippines
27 Aug 09
there are certain exercises doctors allow pregnant women to perform. there are also limitations to that along with the food and other activities she's allowed to do. pregnant women tend to have a lot of conditions, especially when their pregnancy is high risk, they need to be monitored closely... aside form the usual exercises advise for pregnant women another suggestion is the yoga for pregnant women, i heard it helps a lot.
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
28 Aug 09
Your addition to my discussion will be helpful for the pregnant women. Yes yoga is better than other exercises. Thanks a lot.
• Philippines
27 Aug 09
No I think pregnant women should not do exercise because from what i have heard, exercising while pregnant is bad both for the mother and the baby.
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
28 Aug 09
You are wrong. Pregnant women must do exercise to keep their health fit and to get healthy baby. But all types of exercises are not suitable for them. In this regard they can take advice from the doctors.
@marctiu (829)
• Philippines
27 Aug 09
This is really great.. I believe that there are certain exercise for pregnant mother and not all exercise are recommended especially when the mother is not used to working out when she was not yet pregnant.
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
28 Aug 09
Yes pregnant women should exercises which are suitable for them. They can take suggestions from the experts.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
27 Aug 09
I think it definitely is a good idea to exercise. For animals it is always recommended, so why not for humans? There is a girl in the running group I'm in who is 5 to 6 months pregnant and she ran 4.5 miles with us yesterday.
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
28 Aug 09
Then you swallowed all the advices of Dr.Mercola. So you know better than me. Thanks.
@ketybhagat (4123)
• India
27 Aug 09
Exercise is always beneficial to one and all, even the pregnant mothers. I have always seen that labourers who work hard till the last days of delivery are the ones who seem to have easy and fast deliverys against their counterparts of higher society who live a less labourious life. Even simple walking will help the mother and child. As you so rightly say, a healthy placenta will lead to healthier babies. However, it is always better to speak to your gynec before doing anything.
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
28 Aug 09
Yes kety you rightly said that labourer women who wark hard till the last days of delivery are the ones who seem to have easy and fast delivery. I read a story of famous Bengali writer Syed Murtaza Ali who narrated about Afghanistan in his book "Deshe Bideshe". He said in his book the poor Afghan women go to cultivation work in the rough lands. If there a woman feels labour-pain then other women cover some area with their cloths. Their the woman gives birth her child. After then she returns home normally with her baby.Heard labour makes it possible. So exercise is beneficial for the pregnant women. But what type of exercise is needed for a pregnant woman that should be asked from a doctor.
@JAYMAR777 (840)
• Philippines
26 Aug 09
Yes of course, I guess you mentioned a lot already. I think the more you exercise, lower's your standing heart rate which can reduce the chances of eclampsia. A woman becomes physically fit for a strenous delivery. I guess it really can help condition the woman's body; as well as it increases the circulation of the body of the mother of which the child benefits also. good day
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
28 Aug 09
Yes you have realized all the matters which I have quoted. Thanks a lot.
@aisaellis22 (6445)
• United States
27 Aug 09
Hello bhanusb! I have cousins who were pregnant. Their doctors have common advices; eat nutritious foods and exercise daily. I think exercise will help make the baby healthy and that also when a pregnant women only eat and eat without exercising, the baby will grow big inside her womb and that it's hard during labor time.
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
28 Aug 09
Yes aisaellis,regular exercise and eat nutritious foods are helpful for a pregnant woman and her baby. But doctor's advice should be taken in this regard.
27 Aug 09
Yes, base on the book that i have read woman who pregnant must have physical exercise cause it may help them when the the time come of giving birth for his or her baby,, and mother must have also right intake of food for her and for the baby that she carrying,, thanks for reading my responds god bless you all
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
28 Aug 09
All married and unmarried women should read the book.That will be helpful for all the ladies. Many many thanks.
• Philippines
27 Aug 09
i guess it's okay for the first few months and if it's really monitored in such a way that it will not have any harmful effscts to the baby...but, if ur just a few weeks away, then that would be a different story...
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
28 Aug 09
A pregnant woman should take advice from her doctor about what to do in her all stages of pregnancy.